Container unscrambler system having adjustable track and method

ABSTRACT

A container feeding system is shown having an unscrambler having an unscrambler bowl providing a track or channel that is adjustable such that it can accommodate bottles of varying sizes. The system also comprises an adjustable chute that is also adjustable and having a chute channel or track that is also adjustable to accommodate containers of varying sizes when the containers are conveyed from the unscrambling bowl, through the adjustable chute, and to a subsequent processing station.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to the field of packaging andparticularly to a system and method for unscrambling and conveyingcontainers using an unscrambler and chute, both of which have anadjustable channel.

Apparatuses for unscrambling and orienting various articles such ascontainers in the form of bottles and cans, etc. are well known. Forexample, unscrambling apparatuses having a fixed track size forunscrambling and positioning bottles and cans are described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 3,295,659; 3,650,368; 4,095,688; 4,148,390; 4,257,516; 4,271,954;4,463,846; 4,782,939; 4,865,181; 4,928,808; 4,979,607; 5,348,061;5,358,091; 6,279722; 6,308,816; 6,502,688 and 6,758,323.

Typically, a plurality of containers to be filled, such as bottles,cans, jars, and the like, having the same size and shape are fed to anunscrambling device where they are unscrambled. For example, in theprior art system, unscrambled containers are fed through a chute havinga fixed channel size to an indexing table where they are oriented sothat the open ends of all the bottles or cans face in an upwarddirection and the closed ends face the opposite direction. The bottlesor cans thus oriented are transported to a loading station where theyare filled with a substance such as pharmaceutical medications, such asaspirin, lotions, ointments, fragrances, foods, drinks, etc. The filledbottles or cans are then capped, labeled and prepared for shipping tothe appropriate destination.

Pharmaceutical companies, cosmetic manufacturers and othermanufacturers, every year, sell millions of bottles and other sealablecontainers containing their various products. In order to be competitivein today's market, manufacturers must offer their products in varioussize containers. For example, almost all over-the-counter pharmaceuticalsubstances such as aspirin, etc. are now sold in various size containersholding from a few tablets to 500 more tablets, depending on the needsand desires of the consumer.

The use of a large number of varying-sized containers to packageproducts poses a particular problem to the manufacturing and packagingindustries because they oftentimes used an unscrambler having a fixedtrack size. The unscrambler fed the bottles to a chute that had achannel that was also fixed. Thus, in order to change from one sizecontainer to another, for example, the various machinery, tooling, parts(such as guide arms, unscrambler bowl or entire chute) had to be“changed out” before the machinery could accommodate another size. Thischange over not only results in additional costs because of the partsand extra man hours needed to convert the machinery, but also results inlost revenue due to the down time.

Accordingly, there is a need in the industry for new machinery andimproved system and methods which overcome one or more of theseproblems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improvedsystem for use in the packaging industry to unscramble, orient andconvey empty containers, such as bottles and cans which are to beautomatically filled with specific products.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel unscramblerhaving a track or channel size that can be easily and quickly adjustedso the unscrambler can unscramble containers of one size to being ableto unscramble containers of another size.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a novel andadjustable guide chute having a channel that can be adjusted so that itcan easily and quickly accept containers of various sizes.

The unscrambler in one embodiment comprises an adjustable unscramblerhaving a rotatable circular horizontal floor and a circular wallperpendicular and adjacent to the circular edge of the horizontal floorcreating a bowl shape. At the outer edge of the horizontal floor, thereis positioned a plurality of individual ring members adjacent each otherand extending around the floor of the unscrambler, such that each ringmember from the outermost member to the innermost member, exhibits acircumference less than the adjacent outer member. Each of the ringmembers is capable of individual movement in a perpendicular directionwith respect to the relatively horizontal orientation of the floor. Themovement of ring members is not completely independent of all the otherconcentric rings as will be describe later. The floor of the unscrambleris generally horizontal is also slightly domed providing a graduallysloping convex floor surface so that when the empty containers areloaded into the unscrambler, the sloping convex surface of the domedfloor causes the empty containers to gravitate toward the outer wall ofunscrambler. Centrifugal force caused by the floor being rotated alsourges the empty containers toward the outer wall of the unscrambler andassists in maintaining them near the outer wall. Although the slopingfloor and centrifugal force causes the containers to gravitate to theouter wall of the unscrambler, the containers may end up in a totallyundesirable random orientation. In order for the containers to moveforward in orderly fashion toward a conveyer or chute, which transportsthe containers to another device in the packing process, all of thecontainers must be in some sort of alignment so that they will fittinglytraverse the chute or conveyer without clogging the path.

According to another embodiment, the system comprises an adjustablechute, with the containers lying on their sides against the verticalwall of the unscrambler being held in place by a track defined by anappropriate number of concentric members that have been raised to apredetermined height. For example, larger containers require a largerdistance between the inside surface of the vertical unscrambler and theouter circumference of the concentric member which will hold thecontainer on the track. Therefore, one of the inner concentric memberwhich is predetermined based upon the diameter of the container, wouldbe raised to an appropriate height such that individual containers, oneby one, would be transported to an entrance of a channel in anadjustable chute where each of the containers would be oriented to havethe open end of the container in one direction and the closed end in theopposite direction. To prevent the container from being lodged betweenthe outer circumferential wall of the unscrambler and one or more of theconcentric ring members are raised vertically to a height which is lessthan the radius of the container and cooperate with a rim to define atrack for receiving the containers.

In one aspect, this invention comprises an unscrambler comprising: afloor comprising a central portion having a first side and a secondside; the central portion being generally circular and comprising afirst wall; second wall spaced apart from the first wall and extendingaround at least a portion of the central portion; the second wall andthe first wall cooperating to define a channel having a firstpredetermined dimension; and a drive motor for rotatably driving thefloor; the first wall of the central portion having a diameter that isvariable in order to change the first predetermined dimension.

In another aspect, this invention comprises an unscrambling systemcomprising: an unscrambling bowl comprising a first curved wall thatlies in a first plane; a generally circular floor substantiallysurrounded by the first curved wall and having a first side, a secondside and an end wall, the generally circular floor lying in a secondplane that is generally perpendicular to the first plane, the end wallcooperating with the first curved wall to define a channel for receivingcontainers to be unscrambled; and first adjusting means for adjusting afirst dimension of the channel.

In still another aspect, this invention comprises an unscramblercomprising: a generally circular wall for providing a boundary around abowl area, the generally circular wall having at least one opening forenabling containers to pass from a bowl area to a second area outside ofthe bowl area; a rim situated adjacent the generally circular wall; agenerally circular floor that is expandable to change a diameter of thegenerally circular floor and that is also moveable from a home positionto an operating position; the generally circular floor comprising anouter wall that cooperates with the rim and the generally circular wallto define a channel having a first predetermined dimension when thegenerally circular floor is moved from the home position to theoperating position.

In yet another aspect, this invention comprises an unscramblercomprising a channel that is adjustable in size to accommodatecontainers of different sizes, the unscrambler comprising: a centralfloor for defining at least a portion of a floor of the unscrambler; aplurality of concentric rings surrounding the central floor; a drivemotor for rotatably driving the central floor and the plurality ofconcentric rings; an unscrambler wall surrounding the central floor andthe plurality of concentric rings; and a ring drive assembly forselecting at least one of the plurality of concentric rings and also formoving it from a home position to an operating position, with a ringwall of the at least one of the plurality of concentric rings that is inthe operating position and the unscrambler wall defining the channel forreceiving a container to be processed.

In still another aspect, this invention comprises an unscramblercomprising: an outer wall; and a channel adjacent the outer wall; thechannel being adjustable in order to accommodate containers of differentsizes.

In yet another aspect, this invention comprises an unscrambling bowlcomprising: a bowl wall; a floor at least part of which is defined by aplurality of concentric rings that each of which are moveable from ahome position to an operating position, at least one of the plurality ofconcentric rings and the bowl wall cooperating to define a channeladjacent the bowl wall for receiving containers; a drive system forrotatably driving the floor and for selected and moving selected ones ofthe plurality of concentric rings to be moved to the operating position.

In still another aspect, this invention comprises a method for changinga channel size in an unscrambling bowl having a bowl wall and aninterior floor having members that may be raised to an operatingposition to define a channel; the method comprising the steps of:selecting which of the members should be moved to define the channel;and moving the members to define channel.

In yet another aspect, this invention comprises an unscrambler forunscrambling containers comprising: a bowl having a bowl wall; a turretsituated in the bowl; a drive system coupled to the turret for rotatablydriving the turret; the drive system also being capable of driving theturret along an axis of rotation from a home position to an operatingposition.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description, the accompanying drawings and the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable unscrambler and adjustableguide chute;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of the adjustable guide chute andadjustable scrambler shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the adjustable unscrambler showingvarious details;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a floor of the unscrambler;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the unscrambler, showing a sectionalcomparison of the floor when it is in a first or home position (theleftmost portion of FIG. 5), illustrating a plurality of rings whichurge a container against an unscrambler wall and a rightmost portion ofFIG. 5 showing the floor when compared to the position of the floor asshown in the leftmost portion of FIG. 5, illustrating only a singleraised ring member with the remaining ring members being biased to ahome position, such that a channel between the raised ring member andthe unscrambler wall is defined to receive a container that is largerthan the container shown in the left position FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is fragmentary sectional view showing a rack and pinion assemblyfor selecting and supporting one or more of the plurality of ringmembers;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a single concentric ring member,illustrating a plurality of apertures though which a rack may be driven;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view showing further details of theunscrambler;

FIG. 8 is another fragmentary sectional view, similar to FIG. 7, showingfurther details of the unscrambler as it accommodates a relativelylarger bottle size;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view illustrating various features of theadjustable chute;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 showing the adjustable chuteaccommodating relatively larger container sizes;

FIG. 11A is a fragmentary sectional view showing a channel defined by aplurality of members or walls;

FIG. 11B is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to the FIG. 11A,showing one of the walls moved closer to the other and the flexibletubular member moved to a position such that a smaller channel isprovided to accommodate a container having a relatively smaller diameterthan the container shown in FIG. 11A;

FIGS. 12A-12F are fragmentary views illustrating various components ofthe adjustable chute illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 and furtherillustrating details of the system and method for adjusting a width toopposing walls;

FIGS. 13A-13C are views illustrating further features of the embodimentsshown in FIGS. 9 and 10 and particularly the apparatus and means forraising and lowering the tubular member;

FIG. 14 is a view of a tubular support showing details of the variousbevel gears and driven gear that drive a tubular support;

FIGS. 15A-15B are fragmentary views illustrating the movement of thetubular support to accommodate different container sizes; and

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view showing an aperture in thetubular support for receiving a tube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus or system 10having an unscrambler 11 for unscrambling a plurality of randomlyoriented containers 12, such as bottles, jars and like. The unscrambler11 provides an unscrambling bowl 18 that conveys the containers 12 to anadjustable chute 14. The containers 12 pass through the chute 14 to asubsequent station 17 where the containers 12 may be further processed,such as at an indexing station where the containers are oriented in anupright position for further processing.

The unscrambler 11 (FIGS. 2-4) is bowl-shaped and is illustrated as onecomponent of the system 10 provides one embodiment of the presentinvention. The unscrambling bowl 18 includes a rotatable circular floor20 (FIGS. 1 and 2) having a top surface that is domed or curved. Thefloor 20 comprises central section 22 that is mounted on a bearingsleeve/collar 23 (FIG. 2) of the type previously known. The floor 20further comprises a first rim 24 defining a first edge 24 a of the domecenter section 22, a plurality of rings or ring members 26 a -26 h, withring member 26 a being adjacent the first rim 24. A second outer rim 28defines an outer edge 28 a of the floor 20 and is adjacent a first wallor circular boundary wall 30 that extends substantially about theexterior boundary of the unscrambling bowl 18 and also extends upwardfrom the rim 28 and floor 20 as shown.

The ring members 26 a -26 h are concentric and separately andindependently movable between a raised or operative position and alowered or home position, as more fully described later herein. Anyraised ring members 26 a -26 h cooperate with wall 30, outer rim 28 andthe top surface 26 a 1 -26 h 1 (FIG. 8) of any ring members 26 a -26 hthat are not raised, such as surface 26 a 1 (FIG. 7) of ring member 26,to provide or define a track or channel 32. The channel 32 provides atrack by which containers 12 may be transported to the adjustable chute14.

It should be understood that the size of channel 32 in the unscrambler18 is adjustable and comprises or defines a width, such as width W andW1 in FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively, that is somewhat less than a diameterof the container 12 being processed in the example being described.Likewise, the channel 32 defines a depth, such as depth D and D1 inFIGS. 7 and 8, respectively, which is somewhat less than a radius of thecontainer 12 being processed.

Details of the unscrambler 11 will now be described relative to FIGS.2-8. FIG. 2 is another fragmentary view of the system 10, illustratingvarious details of the unscrambler 11 and adjustable chute 14. Notice inFIG. 2 that the unscrambler 11 comprises the floor 20 that lies in agenerally horizontal first plane.

The unscrambler 11 comprises means or apparatus for raising or loweringthe floor 20 one or more of the plurality of ring members 26 a -26 h todefine the channel 32. In this regard, the unscrambler 11 comprisesapparatus or means for adjusting or changing a diameter of the centralportion 22, for selecting and actuating selected ones of the pluralityof rings 26 a -26 h, and for driving the domed center portion 22 and theselected rings 26 a -26 h between the lowered or home position(illustrated by the position of ring member 26 a in FIG. 7) and theraised or operating position (illustrated by the positions of ringmembers 26 b -26 h in FIG. 7) where the walls of selected rings becomegenerally perpendicular to a plane of floor 20. It should be understoodthat the number of rings 26 a -26 h selected to be raised is in responsethe diameter of the container 12 being processed. In general, anoperator determines the number of ring members 26 a -26 h to be raisedto define the channel 32 while the floor 20 is in the lowered or homeposition, which is when all top surfaces 26 a 1 -26 h 1 are generallycoplanar with surface 38 a of rim 38, as shown in the left position ofFIG. 5. After such determination, the operator actuates a plurality ofsupports or racks 92-102 described later herein to select the number ofrings 26 a - 26 h to be raised. As illustrated in FIG. 6, theunscrambler 11 comprises a plurality of spacer stops 97 mounted onmember 72 which provides stops for the ends of the plurality of racks92-102 when they are driven toward the shaft 40. After such selection,the floor 20 and those ones of the selected rings 26 a -26 h are raisedto the operating position, as illustrated in the rightmost portion oFIG. 5. Thus, the central portion 22 and the selected ones of rings 26 a-26 h are moved in a vertical direction of arrow A in FIG. 5 to a heightthat is generally smaller than the cross-sectional radius of thecontainer 12. A side wall of the outer-most selected ring, such as sidewall 26 g 5 in FIG. 8, cooperates with wall 30, surface 38 a and topsurfaces of all non-selected rings 26 a -26 f, such as surfaces 26 a 1-26 f 1 in the example, cooperate to define channel 32.

FIG. 5 illustrates the home position where the racks 92-102 are slidablydriven in the manner described herein to select one or more of the rings26 a -26 h to be raised to the operating position. This is performedwhile the floor 20 is at rest and not rotating. After the selection, thehand crank 81 is rotated to drive the threaded member 84 which drivesthe assembly of parts 39, 40, 20 and 22, for example, to a raisedposition that defines the operating position. The drive motor 42 maythen be energized whereupon the member 72 rotates in response thereto,along with the floor 20, the rings 26 a -26 h and rim 28.

Referring to FIGS. 3-8, the unscrambler 11 comprises a bottom planarmember, plate or portion 70 coupled via the spline bearing sleeveassembly 23 and a mount 25 (FIG. 2) to an intermediate planar member,plate, disc, or portion 72 on which the circular floor 20 is mounted. Adrive assembly 74 is mounted on the bottom planar member or portion 70.Notice that the assembly 74 comprises a first plate 76 that is securedto member 70 with a plurality of supports or spacers, such as spacers 78and 80, as best illustrated in FIG. 5. The intermediate plate 72 (FIGS.2, 3 and 5) is mounted to bearing sleeve mount 23 and rotates as floor20 rotates. The member 70 has a circular rim or edge 70 a (FIG. 5) thatis fastened, such as by a weld, to an inner surface 30 a of wall 30. Thefloor 20 comprises the spline bearing collar or hub assembly 23 (FIG. 5)which is mounted on or constrained radially by plate hubs or mounts 25and 27. The bearing assembly 23 receives the drive shaft 40, which iscoupled to a conventional drive motor 42 (FIG. 5) for rotatably drivingthe floor 20 and circular plate 70 described later herein. Note that theplate mount 25 is mounted to member 70 and has a set screw 27 (FIG. 5)to secure it and member 70 to bearing 23. The disk mounting hub 51secures the central portion 22 to the shaft 40. Note in FIGS. 2 and 5,the mounting hub 25 is mounted to the disc or member 72 and secured tothe bearing 23 with the set screw 27 mentioned earlier.

The assembly 74 has a hand crank 81 having the threaded shaft 84 isthreadably received in a sleeve nut or threaded fixture 86 secured toplate 82. Plate 82 is coupled to circular floor 20 by a shaft 40. Theintermediate plate 82 moves in response to rotation of the hand crank 81in the direction of double arrow B in FIG. 5. Thus, for example, whenthe operator turns the crank 84 in a clockwise direction, the plate 82is driven upward (as viewed in FIG. 5) and thereby raise the circularfloor 20, and drive motor 42, which is mounted on plate 82 as well asany selected rings 26 a -26 h to the desired height, such as theillustrated heights H1 or H2. It should be appreciated that FIG. 5 is afragmentary illustration about line 29 of the unscrambler 11 showing thefloor 20 in two positions, with the left-hand portion of the FIG. 5shown with the floor 20 in the lower or home position to accommodate asmaller diameter bottle and the rightmost portion of the FIG. 5illustrating the floor 20 in a higher raised position to accommodate alarger diameter container 12. The floor 20 is, however, one continuousstructure in cross-section.

Bearing sleeve mount 23 is a spline bushing with internal gear typeteeth. Shaft 40 has the mating splined teeth to it, disk 20 is attachedto the upper turned down portion of shaft 40 and set screwed to it,spline bearing mounts over spline shaft 40, and the remaining portion ofshaft 40 is within the reducer/motor unit. Spline bushing is pressedinto member 25 and set screwed solid. When disk 20 rotates so doesmember 72 as shaft 40 drives both. As disk 20 adjusts upward by assembly74 assembly member 72 remains in position. So shaft 40 raises up anddown bearing 23, thus disk 20 raises up and down and member 72 stays ina down position. The assembly 74 is adjusted by hand crank 81 which themotor assembly and shaft 40 raises as one unit which pushes disk 20upward through members 72, 25 and 23 as shown. Note that the sleeve orcollar 41 is part of shaft 40 all as one shaft assembly. Thus, byturning crank 81, the threaded member 84 simultaneously moves the parts20, 22, and 40 and one or more of the selected rings 26 a -26 h, forexample, from the home position shown in the left of FIG. 5 (i.e., tothe left of line 29 in FIG. 5) to the operating position shown in theright of FIG. 5 (i.e., to the right of line 29 in FIG. 5). The entirecentral portion 22 is raised along with any of the plurality of ringmembers 26 a -26 h that are supported by the racks 92-102. In theexample in FIG. 5, only ring 26 a is shown as being selected and theremaining rings 26 b -26 h remain biased against member 72 as shown, andtheir top surfaces 26 b 1-26 h 1 and the top surface 28 b of rim 28provide a floor of the channel 32.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4-6, the method and apparatus for selectingone or more of the plurality of ring members 26 a -26 h will now bedescribed. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the floor 20 without the bottomplates or member 70 and 72. A plurality of racks 92-102 are mounted orsecured to the side 20 b of the floor 20 with a plurality of brackets ormounts 104-126 with suitable fasteners, such as by screws 127 as shown.As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, the racks 92-102 may be driven alongtheir axis. For example, rack 96 may be driven in the direction ofdouble arrow C in FIG. 6.

It should be understood that each of the plurality of ring members 26 a-26 h comprise a plurality of holes or apertures, such as apertures 26 a2-26 a 7 in FIG. 6A or apertures 26 a 2-26 h 2 in FIG. 6 (only half ofwhich are shown for illustrating the movement of the rack in theapertures 26 a 1-26 h 1). The apertures 26 a 2-26 h 2 each have a centerthat becomes generally aligned with the axis of the rack to which it isassociated when the rack is in a retracted position. Thus, rack 96 inFIG. 6 becomes aligned with apertures 26 a 2-26 h 2 of the rings 26 a-26 h, respectively, when the rings 26 a -26 h are in the home orlowered position mentioned earlier. Such alignment enables each of theracks 92-102 to move into and through the holes 26 a 2-26 h 2. In thisillustration, notice in FIG. 6A, the ring 26 a comprises the pluralityapertures 26 a 1-26 a 6, and hole 26 a 2 become generally aligned withthe corresponding apertures 26 b 2-26 h 2 in the other rings 26 b -26 h,respectively.

It should be understood that the plurality of rings 26 a -26 h arebiased downward (as viewed in FIG. 8) by the springs 62 which aremounted on a plurality of spaced columns or shafts 26 a 3-26 h 3. Thesprings 62 are held in place by a push nut, spring nut or the like. Asbest shown in FIG. 7, the shafts 26 a 3-26 h 3 extend through apertures,such as apertures 72 a -72 h (only half of which is shown in FIG. 7 forease of illustration). Thus, when the racks 92-102 are not received inapertures 26 a 2-26 h 2, the plurality of rings 26 a -26 h become biasedin the home or down position by their respective spring 62. For example,FIG. 8 illustrates the plurality of rings 26 a -26 f biased downward (asviewed in the FIG. 8) by springs 62. In contrast, the rack 96 in theexample extends through each of the apertures 26 g 2 and 26 h 2 of theplurality of rings 26 g and 26 h, respectively, which are raised againstthe force of springs 62 as shown. As mentioned earlier, the number ofrings 26 a -26 h selected to be raised or moved to the operatingposition is related to the diameter and/or shape of the container 12being processed. Thus, the system 10 and unscrambler 11 can accommodatenumerous container sizes, such as the relatively small diameter 12 b inFIG. 5 or a relatively larger container 12 a shown in the rightmostportion of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 4, the various racks 92-102 are slidably driven by apinion drive assembly 103 having a plurality of pinion gears or pinions130-140 which engage the rack teeth, such as teeth 96 a in FIG. 8, anddrive the rack 92-102, respectively. Notice in FIG. 6 that each pinion,such as pinions 138 and 140 (FIG. 4), comprises an associated sprocket140 a and 138 a that is driven by a drive chain 142. A plurality ofspacer or guide sprockets 144-154 that are rotatably mounted betweenpinions 130-140 on associated shafts 144 a -154 a as shown.

When it is desired to drive the racks 92-102 in the direction of doublearrow C in FIG. 6, the operator uses a wrench or tool 150 (FIG. 6) torotatably drive a nut 153 (FIG. 4) which in turn drives chain 142 todrive the various rack and pinion combinations. This causes racks 92-102to be driven into and out of the various apertures in the plurality ofring members 26 a -26 h, such as apertures 26 a 2-26 h 2 (FIG. 6).

If necessary, the operator may rotate the hand crank 81 (FIG. 5) tolower the floor 20, circular portion 22 and rings 26 a -26 h to the downor home position whereupon the top surface 20 a of floor 20 and topsurfaces 26 a 1-26 h 1 (FIG. 8) and surface 24 a of rim 24 are generallycoplanar. The operator then selects one or more of the ring members 26 a-26 h to be moved to the operating position in response to the size ofthe container 12 being processed. For example, the left-most portion ofFIG. 5 illustrates all of the plurality of ring members 26 a -26 h beingselected and raised to define channel 32 for a relatively small diametercontainer 12 b. In contrast, the rightmost portion of FIG. 5 illustratesthe plurality of ring members 26 b -26 h selected, except for ringmember 26 a, so that the defined channel 32 can accommodate a slightlylarger container 12 a. Notice in the example shown in the rightmostportion of FIG. 5, only the innermost ring member 26 h is selected andraised to the operating position so that the relatively larger container12 a may be processed.

The operator actuates the various pinions 130-140 by driving a chain142. In this regard, the operator uses the wrench 150 to drive a nut,such as nut 153 in FIG. 4, associated with each sprocket 144-154, whichin turn drive the racks 92-102 until the appropriate number of theplurality of ring members 26 a -26 h are supported by the racks 92-102.Notice that the pinion drive assembly 103 is coupled via the chain 142to each pinion gear 130-140. When operator rotates one of the nutsassociated with sprockets 144, 146, 158, 151, 152 and 154 using tool 150(FIG. 4), the pinions 130, 132, 134,136, 138 and 140 are substantiallysimultaneously rotatably driven, which in turn drives racks 92-102.

After the correct or desired number of rings 26 a -26 h are selected,the height, such as height H1 or H2 in FIG. 5, of floor 20 may beadjusted by rotating the hand crank 81 to thereby raise the desiredheight of the floor 20 and the selected ring members 26 a -26 h. Ingeneral, the floor 20 and the selected ring members 26 a -26 h areraised to the height, such as height H1 or H2, that is generally smallerthan the radius of the container 12 being processed. Note, for example,in FIG. 8 that it has been found that the corner of the outermost ringselected (such as edge 26 g 4 of ring 26 g) engages side 12 c 1 whichfacilitates retaining the container 12 c in channel 32 and against thesurface wall 30 a of wall 30 as the floor 20 is rotatably driven by themotor 42 (FIG. 2).

As alluded to earlier herein, the central portion 22 is dome-shaped orcomprises a curvature that urges the containers 12 toward the wall 30.Centrifugal forces also facilitate driving the containers 12 toward wall30. As the containers 12 are guided toward the wall 30, they becomepositioned in the track or channel 32 and guided via channel 32 to aguide flange 160 (FIG. 2) and into an opening 14 a (FIGS. 1 and 2) ofthe adjustable chute 14 which will now be described relative to FIGS.9-15D.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, the flange 160 guides containers 12 intothe opening 14 a as floor 20 rotates in a counterclockwise direction inFIG. 1. Those of the containers 12 that are oriented in a generallyhorizontal position as they settle within the track 32 and adjustablechute 14 guides them to a generally vertical position as illustrated inFIG. 2. The containers 12 are then subject to further processing at oneor more subsequent stations 17 (FIG. 2), such as an indexing station,capping station, filling station, orienting station and the like.

As mentioned earlier herein in the Background of the Invention, a commonproblem with prior art devices was that the chute typically had a fixedsize and could not easily accommodate containers 12 of different sizes.In contrast, the adjustable chute 14 in the embodiment being describedis capable of accommodating a plurality of different size or diametercontainers 12. In this regard, the adjustable chute 14 has an adjustableguide chute, channel or track 162 through which the containers 12 passfrom the unscrambling bowl 18 to the subsequent processing station 17.

As illustrated in FIG. 9-11B, the adjustable chute 14 comprises thechannel 162 defined by a first wall member or floor 164 (FIG. 1), asecond wall member 166 and a movable wall member 168. The track orchannel 162 is further bounded by a movable and flexible tube or tubularmember 170 that is supported by three tubular supports 172, 174 and 176,as best illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. The function and operation of thetubular supports 172-176 will be described later herein.

It is important to note that the adjustable chute 14 is adjustable inthat the size of the channel 162 may be changed to accommodatecontainers 12 of varying sizes or diameters. For example, FIG. 11A is afragmentary sectional view illustrating wall members 166 and 168cooperating with the floor or wall member 164 and tubular member 170 todefine the channel 162 for receiving a relatively large diametercontainer 12. For purposes of illustration, a smaller diameter container12 is shown in FIG. 11B with the position of the wall member 168 andtubular member 170 being changed to accommodate the change in diameterof the container 12, thereby making the channel 162 relatively smaller.Thus, the size and dimension of channel 162 is variable and adjustableso that it generally corresponds to an overall size that is slightlylarger than the cross-sectional width or diameter of container 12, sothat the container 12 can move freely and easily through the chute 162from the generally horizontal position while in the unscrambling bowl 18to the vertical position (as illustrated in FIG. 2). The means, systemand apparati for moving the wall 168 relative to wall 166 will now bedescribed.

The adjustable chute 14 comprises the first wall member 166 which ismounted in a fixed position to the further processing station 17. FIGS.9, 10, 12A-12D and 13A-13D, are various views with the wall 166 removedor fragmented so as to show details of various features of thisembodiment. The second wall member 168 is generally parallel to thefirst wall member 166 and is movable in the direction of double arrow Din FIG. 9 so that the distance therebetween or channel width CW (FIG.11A) may be changed and adjusted. The adjustable chute 14 comprises awall hand crank 178 (FIGS. 9 and 10) that is rotatably driven by theoperator. The wall hand crank 178 is coupled to drive linkage 169 (FIG.9) and drives a plurality of threaded rods or members 180, 182, 184,186, 188 and 189 via drive linkage 190, 192, 194 (FIG. 12A), 196 and 198as shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 12A. The drive linkage 169 is mounted inbearing blocks 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216 and 218 asshown. The bearing blocks 200-218 are mounted or secured to wall 166with screws or fasteners (not shown).

As illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the hand crank 178 drives a firstbevel gear 222 which is mounted on the threaded rod 184 as shown. Thebevel gear 222 in turn drives bevel gear 224 and bevel gear 226 (FIG.12A). The gears 224 and 226 drive linkage arms 190 and 194,respectively. Bevel gear 226 drives bevel gear 228 which in turn drivesboth threaded rod 182 and bevel gear 230. Bevel gear 230 drives link 190and bevel gear 232. The bevel gear 232 drives bevel gear 234 whichdrives threaded rod 180.

Similarly, the bevel gear 226 drives the link 194 (FIG. 12A) whichdrives bevel gear 236. Bevel gear 236 drives bevel gear 238 which iscoupled to threaded rod 186 (FIG. 12A). Bevel gear 238 rotatably drivesbevel gear 240 which in turn drives link arm 196 (FIG. 10), which drivesbevel gear 242. Bevel gear 242 (FIG. 10) drives bevel gear 244 whichrotatably drives threaded rod 188 as shown. Bevel gear 244 in turndrives bevel gear 246 which rotatably drives the link 198 that drivesbevel gear 248. Gear 248 rotatably drives the threaded rod 189. Theaforementioned drive linkage arrangement enables the adjustable chute 14to be capable of adjusting the position of the wall 168 relative to thewall 166 in order to adjust the dimension (e.g., dimension CW and CW1 inFIGS. 11A and 11B, respectively) or distance between walls 166 and 168.

Notice that the threaded rods 180, 184 and 188 are received in threadedopenings, such as openings 168 c in FIG. 12E, in wall 168. Thus, whenoperator turns crank 178, clockwise or counterclockwise, the linkagerotatably drives threaded rods 180, 184 and 188 to cause wall 168 tomove closer to or farther from wall 166, respectively, thereby changingthe dimension or distance CW between walls 166 and 168.

The adjustable chute 14 comprises means for adjusting the position ofthe tubular supports 172-176 and, therefore, tubular member 170 relativeto walls 166 and 168. As the operator rotates the hand crank 178 in theclockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 10), the aforementioned linkagedrives the threaded rods 180, 184 and 188 as mentioned to move the wall168, for example, in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 12F. The movementof the hand crank 178 also simultaneously drives the threaded rods 182,186 and 189 (FIG. 10) in threaded openings 172 a (FIG. 9), 174 a and 176a. This causes the supports 172, 174 and 176 to move in the samedirection (i.e., in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 12F in theillustration) and substantially simultaneously as the movement of wall168. Likewise, when the operator rotates the wall hand crank 178 in acounterclockwise direction, the wall 168 moves in the direction of arrowE in FIG. 12E to widen the distance CW (FIG. 11A) between wall 166 andwall 168. Substantially simultaneously, the linkage also drives thethreaded rods 182, 186 and 189 to drive the tubular supports 172, 174and 176 in the same direction so that a distance TW (FIG. 11A) can beadjusted. This enables the position of tubular member 170 to be adjustedso that it is generally centrally located between the walls 166 and 168,as illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B. Preferably, the walls 166 and 168are adjusted to the width CW (FIG. 11A) such that it is slightly largerthan the diameter of the container 12. Substantially simultaneously, thetubular member 170 and the distance TW (FIG. 11A) between the tubularmember 170 and the wall 166 is adjusted to a distance that generallycorresponds to or is slightly larger than the radius of the container12. The apparati and method of the example being described alsocomprises means for adjusting a height or distance H3 (FIG. 11A) and H4(FIG. 11B) between the tubular member 170 and floor or wall member 164which will now be described.

The adjustable chute 14 comprises a tubular position hand crank 252(FIGS. 9 and 10) that drives a shaft 254 and bevel gear 256 that iscoupled to and drives a second bevel gear 258 (FIG. 9). Gear 258rotatably drives a link arm 260 that drives a bevel gear 262. Gear 262drives a bevel gear 264 that drives a shaft 266. The link arm 260 ismounted in bearing brackets 265 and 267 that are mounted with suitablefasteners or screws (not shown) to wall 166 (which, again, is shown infragmentary view for ease of illustration in FIG. 9).

The bevel gear 256 (FIG. 9) also rotatably drives bevel gear 258 whichrotatably drives shaft 270 and bevel gear 272. Gear 272 drives bevelgear 274 which rotatably drives a shaft 276 (FIG. 13C). Notice that thelink arm 270 is mounted in bearing brackets 269 and 271 (FIG. 13C) thatare secured or fastened to wall 166 with screws or fasteners (notshown).

Referring now to FIG. 14, the tubular support 172 will now be describedin more detail. It should be understood that the supports 174 and 176comprise like parts and operates in substantially the same manner assupport 172. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the tubular support 172comprises a tubular support member 280 which receives, supports andhouses the flexible tube 170 in an aperture 182 (FIG. 16) defined bywall 184. The tube support member 280 may have an aperture therethroughfor receiving the tube 170 as shown or may have bottom brackets (notshown) for retaining the tube in the aperture 181 (FIG. 16).

The tube support 280 is coupled to an opposing support 286 (FIG. 14) viatwo threaded racks 288 and 290 as shown. The tubular support 172comprises a gear housing portion 292 that houses a plurality of matinggears 294, 296 that engage teeth, such as teeth 288 a on rack 288, onthe racks 288 and 290 to drive the tubular support 280 in the directionof double arrow G in FIG. 14. As mentioned previously herein, thetubular support 172 and, more specifically, gear housing 292 is mountedon the threaded rod 182 that, as described earlier herein, is rotated inresponse to rotation of hand crank 178 to move the support in thedirection of double arrow F in FIG. 14.

When it is desired to adjust the position or distance between thesurface or bottom portion 170 a of tube 170, such as between distance H3in FIG. 11A and distance H4 in FIG. 11B in the illustration, theoperator rotates the hand crank 252 in either a clockwise orcounterclockwise direction. If, for example, the operator rotates thehand crank 252 in the clockwise direction in FIGS. 9 and 10, the bevelgear 256 will drive the gears 258 and 268, which, in turn, drive shafts260 and 270. The shafts 260, 270 drive the gears 264 and 274,respectively (FIGS. 15A and 15B). The rotation of shafts 254 (FIG. 13B),266 (FIG. 13A) and 276 (FIG. 13C) causes the gear to which it isattached, such as gear 294 in the example of FIGS. 15A-15B to rotate inresponse thereto. The gear 294 drives mating gear 296 and bothsimultaneously drive the teeth on their respective racks 288 and 290.The racks 288 and 290 cause the tubular support 280 and tube 170 tomove, for example, from the position illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 12E tothe position shown in FIGS. 11B and 12F where the distance H4 (FIG. 11B)between the surface or bottom portion 170 a and surface 164 a mentionedearlier herein is smaller than distance H3 (FIG. 11A) in order toaccommodate smaller-sized containers 12. Thus, notice in theillustrations of FIG. 11A, the tube support 280 is in its most extremeposition or furthest distance H3 (FIG. 11A) away from wall member 164 toaccommodate a relatively large-diameter container 12. FIG. 15Billustrates the tube support 280 in its downmost position, where thedistance H4 (FIG. 11B) between the tube 170 and wall 164 is narrowest toaccommodate a relatively smaller shaped or sized container 12.

It should be understood, however, that the adjustable chute 14 iscapable of an infinite number of adjustable positions between thepositions shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B by actuating the hand crank 252until the tube 170 is moved to the desired position. Notice that thethree tubular supports 172, 174 and 176 cooperate substantiallysimultaneously to cause the tube 170 in response to the rotation ofcrank 252 to move towards and away from the wall 164. By moving the wallmember 168 in response to the rotation of crank 178 and substantiallysimultaneously moving tube 170 in response to rotation of crank 252, theoperator can adjust the dimension of channel 162, thereby enablingchannel 162 to accommodate containers 12 of different sizes.

In the embodiment being described, note that the tube 170 is made ofstainless steel. Thus, the tube 170 is flexible and remains generallyparallel to the wall 164 as it curves from a horizontal position asviewed in the leftmost portion of FIG. 9 to a generally verticalposition (as viewed in toward the rightmost portion of FIG. 9). The tubesupports 172-176 enable the relative position between wall 164 and tube170 to remain substantially constant.

The adjustable chute 14 also comprises a plurality of spacers, such asspacers 302, 304, 306, 308 and 310 (FIG. 10), that are mounted andaffixed to wall 166 and which provide alignment guides and support forwall 168 and tubular supports 172, 174 and 176.

The system 10 may comprise a cover 167 (FIG. 1) for concealing any oflinkage or the gear assemblies mentioned herein.

During one operating procedure, the operator may adjust hand crank 178to adjust the relative distance between walls 166 and 168 andsubstantially simultaneously, adjusts the positions of the tubularsupports 172, 174 and 176 to a position such that the tubular member 170is generally centered between the walls 166 and 168. The operator maythen rotate the hand crank 252 to adjust the position of the tube 170relative to wall 164 in the manner described earlier herein.

In general, the distance H3 (FIG. 11A) and the distance CW willgenerally be on the order of about one-eighth inch larger than thecross-sectional shape of the container 12 being processed. If thecontainer 12 being processed is circular in cross-section, then thedistance CW and H3 (FIG. 11A) will be slightly larger by aboutone-eighth inch than the diameter of the container 12 so that container12 does not become stuck between the walls 166 and 168. If, for example,the container 12 has a non-circular shape, such as rectangular,polygonal or the like, then a greater or lesser distance H3 and CW maybe selected.

The user may adjust the size of the unscrambler track or channel 32 andchute 14 channel 162 so that they generally correspond to the size ofthe container 12 being processed.

As illustrated, note that the channel 162 is generally curved. If thecontainer 12 has, for example, a length that is large relative to itsdiameter, then it may be desired to have a slightly larger gap ordistance H3 between the container walls 166 and 168 in order tofacilitate enabling the container 12 to smoothly negotiate the curvingchannel 162.

In one embodiment, the rim 24 has a diameter of about twenty-five andone-half inches and a width of about one and one-half inch. Each ring 26a -26 h has a width across its top surface 26 a 1-26 h 1 (FIG. 8) ofabout one-half inch, the central portion 22 has a diameter of abouttwenty-five and one-half inches thereby making the floor 20 have anoverall diameter of about thirty-six inches. In the embodiment beingdescribed, the central portion 22 of floor 20 has a thickness of aboutone-half inch. The rings 26 a -26 h have a thickness of about one-halfinch. Advantageously, the channels 32 and 162 are both adjustable andvariable in size so that they can receive, support, direct and channelcontainers 12 having diameters, for example, of about one and one-eighthinch to about five inches.

Converting the system 10 from one size container 12 to a container of adifferent size does not require change out of parts, such as of thefloor or bowl tooling, as required in the past. Thus, one feature of theexample being described is that it is capable of handling containers ofvarying sizes and shapes and in one embodiment the containers can rangefrom one and one-eighth to five inches in cross-section.

It should be understood that the floor 20 of the unscrambler 14 may bemade of a polymer material High Density Polyethylene, and it isenvisioned that the central portion 22 of floor 20, rim 24 and theplurality of ring members 26 a -26 h may be cut from a single piece ofmaterial, such as by using a laser knife.

It should be appreciated that other mechanisms and means for causing thechute to be adjustable and capable of handling bottles of a plurality ofsizes may be performed without departing from the true spirit and scopeof the invention.

While the method herein described, and the form of apparatus forcarrying this method into effect, constitute preferred embodiments ofthis invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limitedto this precise method and form of apparatus, and that changes may bemade in either without departing from the scope of the invention, whichis defined in the appended claims.

1. An unscrambler comprising: a floor comprising a central portionhaving a first side and a second side; said central portion beinggenerally circular and comprising a first wall; a second wall spacedapart from said first wall and extending around at least a portion ofsaid central portion; said second wall and said first wall cooperatingto define a channel having a first predetermined dimension; and a drivemotor for rotatably driving said floor; said first wall of said centralportion having a diameter that is variable in order to change said firstpredetermined dimension.
 2. The unscrambler as recited in claim 1wherein said first predetermined dimension is a distance between saidwall and said second wall.
 3. The unscrambler as recited in claim 1wherein said floor comprises a plurality of concentric rings situatedabout said central portion, at least one of said plurality of concentricrings defining said second wall.
 4. The unscrambler as recited in claim1 wherein said floor comprises a plurality of concentric rings situatedabout said central portion, each of said plurality of concentric ringsbeing independently or simultaneously selectable to change said firstpredetermined dimension.
 5. The unscrambler as recited in claim 3wherein said unscrambler comprises at least one slidable supportassociated with said second side for selecting one or more of saidplurality of concentric rings.
 6. The unscrambler as recited in claim 1wherein said unscrambler comprises a plurality of slidable supportsassociated with said second side for selecting one or more of saidplurality of concentric rings.
 7. The unscrambler as recited in claim 5wherein said at least one slidable support comprises a rack, saidunscrambler further comprising: a pinion for slidably driving said rack;and a drive train for driving said pinion.
 8. The unscrambler as recitedin claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of concentric rings comprisesa plurality of apertures that are generally aligned when said rings aresituated in a home position; said unscrambler further comprising aplurality of slidable supports that are generally aligned with andcapable of being driven into said plurality of apertures.
 9. Theunscrambler as recited in claim 5 wherein said plurality of slidablesupports are driven by a drive train.
 10. The unscrambler as recited inclaim 6 wherein each of said plurality of slidable supports comprises arack, said unscrambler further comprises: a plurality of pinionsoperatively engaging said plurality of slidable supports; and a drivetrain coupled to said plurality of pinions for rotatably driving saidplurality of pinions and driving said plurality of slidable supports inresponse thereto.
 11. The unscrambler as recited in claim 10 whereineach of said plurality of pinions comprises a sprocket, said unscramblerfurther comprising a chain for coupling said sprockets to providesubstantially simultaneous movement of said plurality of pinions whensaid chain is driven.
 12. The unscrambler as recited in claim 1 whereinsaid unscrambler comprises a lift assembly coupled to said floor formoving said floor between a home position and an operating position. 13.The unscrambler as recited in claim 11 wherein said second predetermineddistance defined by a bottom of said channel and a top edge of saidfirst wall; said second predetermined distance being less than a radiusof a container being processed.
 14. The unscrambler as recited in claim11 wherein said first predetermined distance is less than a diameter ofa radius of said container being processed.
 15. The unscrambler asrecited in claim 13 wherein said first predetermined distance is lessthan a diameter of a radius of a container being processed.
 16. Anunscrambling system comprising: an unscrambling bowl comprising a firstcurved wall that lies in a first plane; a generally circular floorsubstantially surrounded by said first curved wall and having a firstside, a second side and an end wall, said generally circular floor lyingin a second plane that is generally perpendicular to said first plane,said end wall cooperating with said first curved wall to define achannel for receiving containers to be unscrambled; and first adjustingmeans for adjusting a first dimension of said channel.
 17. Theunscrambling system as recited in claim 16 wherein said generallycircular floor comprises a central portion, said first adjusting meanscomprising: a plurality of concentric rings surrounding said centralportion.
 18. The unscrambling system as recited in claim 17 wherein saidfirst adjusting means further comprises: means for coupling one or moreof said plurality of concentric rings to said generally circular floorin order to adjust said first dimension.
 19. The unscrambling system asrecited in claim 17 wherein said adjusting means further comprises:means for biasing said plurality of ring members to a home position;means for selecting one or more of said plurality of concentric ringsand also for coupling said selected plurality of concentric rings tosaid central portion of said generally circular floor to define saidchannel when said floor is raised from said home position to anoperating position.
 20. The unscrambling system as recited in claim 19wherein said means for selecting comprises a plurality of slidablesupports associated with said second side for selecting one or more ofsaid plurality of concentric rings.
 21. The unscrambling system asrecited in claim 20 wherein each of said plurality of slidable supportscomprises a rack, said means for selecting further comprises: aplurality of pinions operatively engaging said plurality of slidablesupports; and a drive train coupled to said plurality of pinions forrotatably driving said plurality of pinions which in turn drives saidplurality of slidable supports in response thereto.
 22. The unscramblingsystem as recited in claim 21 wherein said means for selecting furthercomprises a plurality of sprockets associated with said plurality ofpinions, respectively, said unscrambling system further comprising achain for coupling said sprockets to provide substantially simultaneousmovement of said plurality of pinions when said chain is driven.
 23. Theunscrambling system as recited in claim 16 wherein said unscramblingsystem comprises an outer rim that defines at least a portion of a floorof said channel adjacent said curved wall and a lift assembly coupled tosaid generally circular floor and those of said plurality of concentricring members that are coupled thereto from a home position to anoperating position at which an edge of said end wall is situated abovesaid outer rim a second predetermined distance.
 24. The unscramblingsystem as recited in claim 23 wherein said second predetermined distanceis less than a radius of a container being processed.
 25. Theunscrambling system as recited in claim 24 wherein said firstpredetermined distance is less than a diameter of a container beingprocessed.
 26. An unscrambler comprising: a generally circular wall forproviding a boundary around a bowl area , said generally circular wallhaving at least one opening for enabling containers to pass from a bowlarea to a second area outside of said bowl area; a rim situated adjacentsaid generally circular wall; a generally circular floor that isexpandable to change a diameter of said generally circular floor andthat is also moveable from a home position to an operating position;said generally circular floor comprising an outer wall that cooperateswith said rim and said generally circular wall to define a channelhaving a first predetermined dimension when said generally circularfloor is moved from said home position to said operating position. 27.The unscrambler as recited in claim 26 wherein said generally circularfloor comprises a central portion, said generally circular floor furthercomprising: a plurality of concentric rings surrounding said centralportion.
 28. The unscrambler as recited in claim 27 wherein saidgenerally circular floor further comprises: a coupler for coupling oneor more of said plurality of concentric rings to said central portion inorder to adjust said first predetermined dimension.
 29. The unscrambleras recited in claim 27 wherein said unscrambler further comprises: aplurality of springs for biasing said plurality of ring members,respectively, to said home position; a selector for selecting one ormore of said plurality of concentric rings and also for coupling saidselected plurality of concentric rings to said central portion to definesaid channel when said floor is raised from said home position to anoperating position.
 30. The unscrambler as recited in claim 27 whereinsaid selector comprises a plurality of slidable supports associated withsaid second side for selecting one or more of said plurality ofconcentric rings.
 31. The unscrambler as recited in claim 30 whereineach of said plurality of slidable supports comprises a rack, saidselector further comprising: a plurality of pinions operatively engagingsaid plurality of slidable supports; and a drive train coupled to saidplurality of pinions for rotatably driving said plurality of pinionswhich drive said plurality of slidable supports in response thereto. 32.The unscrambler as recited in claim 31 wherein said selector furthercomprises a plurality of sprockets associated with said plurality ofpinions, respectively, said unscrambler further comprising a chain forcoupling said plurality of sprockets to provide substantiallysimultaneous movement of said plurality of pinions when said chain isdriven.
 33. The unscrambler as recited in claim 27 wherein saidunscrambler comprises a lift assembly coupled to said central portionand those of said plurality of concentric ring members that are coupledthereto from said home position to said operating position at which anedge of said end wall is situated above said rim a second predetermineddistance.
 34. The unscrambler as recited in claim 33 wherein said secondpredetermined distance is less than a radius of a container beingprocessed.
 35. The unscrambler as recited in claim 26 wherein said firstpredetermined distance is less than a diameter of a container beingprocessed.
 36. The unscrambler as recited in claim 26 wherein a top edgeof said outer wall is situated a second predetermined distance abovesaid rim when said wall is in said operating position.
 37. Theunscrambler as recited in claim 36 wherein said second predetermineddistance is less than a radius of a container being processed.
 38. Anunscrambler comprising a channel that is adjustable in size toaccommodate containers of different sizes, said unscrambler comprising:a central floor for defining at least a portion of a floor of saidunscrambler; a plurality of concentric rings surrounding said centralfloor; a drive motor for rotatably driving said central floor and saidplurality of concentric rings; an unscrambler wall surrounding saidcentral floor and said plurality of concentric rings; and a ring driveassembly for selecting at least one of said plurality of concentricrings and also for moving it from a home position to an operatingposition, with a ring wall of the at least one of said plurality ofconcentric rings that is in the operating position and said unscramblerwall defining the channel for receiving a container to be processed. 39.The unscrambler as recited in claim 38 wherein said a top surface of anyof said plurality of concentric rings that are not raised defines atleast a part of a floor of said channel.
 40. The unscrambler as recitedin claim 38 wherein said central floor and said plurality of concentricrings lie in a first plane, with said unscrambler wall lying in a secondplane that is generally perpendicular to said first plane.
 41. Theunscrambler as recited in claim 38 wherein said ring drive assemblycomprises: a rack and pinion assembly that, responsive to a movement ofan associated pinion, drives at least one rack into operativerelationship with said at least one of said plurality of concentricrings to select said at least one of said plurality of concentric ringsto be moved to said operation position.
 42. The unscrambler as recitedin claim 38 wherein said ring drive assembly comprises: a rack andpinion assembly that, responsive to a movement of a plurality ofpinions, drives a plurality of racks into operative relationship withsaid at least one of said plurality of concentric rings to select thesaid at least one of said plurality of rings to be moved to saidoperation position.
 43. The unscrambler as recited in claim 42 whereinsaid rack and pinion assembly is coupled to said central floor.
 44. Theunscrambler as recited in claim 38 wherein said unscrambler furthercomprises: a drive shaft onto which said central portion is mounted; afirst planar member also mounted on said drive shaft and situatedadjacent said central portion; a second planar member that is generallyparallel to said first planar member; said ring drive assembly beingcoupled to said second planar member and capable of moving said firstplanar member and said floor.
 45. The unscrambler as recited in claim 42wherein said unscrambler further comprises: a drive shaft onto whichsaid central portion is mounted; a first planar member also mounted onsaid drive shaft and situated adjacent said central portion; a secondplanar member that is generally parallel to said first planar member;said ring drive assembly being coupled to said second planar member andcapable of moving said first planar member and said floor.
 46. Theunscrambler as recited in claim 42 wherein said unscrambler furthercomprises biasing means for biasing the those of said plurality ofconcentric rings that are not selected to be moved into said operatingposition, into said home position.
 47. The unscrambler as recited inclaim 42 wherein said unscrambler further comprises a rim situatedadjacent said unscrambler wall, said rim and those of said plurality ofconcentric rings that are not selected to be raised to said operatingposition cooperating to define a floor of said channel.
 48. Theunscrambler as recited in claim 38 wherein said channel is circular andadjacent said unscrambler wall.
 49. An unscrambler comprising: an outerwall; and a channel adjacent said outer wall; said channel beingadjustable in order to accommodate containers of different sizes. 50.The unscrambler as recited in claim 49 wherein said a depth of saidchannel is adjustable.
 51. The unscrambler as recited in claim 49wherein said a width of said channel is adjustable.
 52. The unscrambleras recited in claim 49 wherein said unscrambler comprises a ring that ismoveable from a home position to an operating position, said ringcooperating with said outer wall to define said channel.
 53. Theunscrambler as recited in claim 49 wherein said unscrambler comprises aplurality of concentric rings that are each independently moveablebetween a home position to an operating position, at least one of saidplurality of concentric rings cooperating with said outer wall to definesaid channel after said at least one of said plurality of concentricrings is moved to said operating position.
 54. The unscrambler asrecited in claim 49 wherein said unscrambler comprises a floor having acentral portion and a plurality of concentric rings surrounding saidcentral portion, said plurality of concentric rings each beingindependently moveable between a home position to an operating position,at least one of said plurality of concentric rings cooperating with saidouter wall to define said channel after said at least one of saidplurality of concentric rings is moved to said operating position. 55.The unscrambler as recited in claim 50 wherein said depth is less than aradius of the container being processed.
 56. The unscrambler as recitedin claim 50 wherein said width is less than a diameter of the containerbeing processed.
 57. The unscrambler as recited in claim 54 wherein saidcentral floor has a surface that is curved or domed shaped.
 58. Theunscrambler as recited in claim 54 wherein said unscrambler furthercomprises a drive system for moving said central floor and said at leastone of said plurality of concentric rings to said operating position andalso for rotatably driving said them so that containers situated thereonare urged toward said outer wall and into said channel.
 59. Anunscrambling bowl comprising: a bowl wall; a floor at least part ofwhich is defined by a plurality of concentric rings that each of whichare moveable from a home position to an operating position, at least oneof said plurality of concentric rings and said bowl wail cooperating todefine a channel adjacent said bowl wall for receiving containers; adrive system for rotatably driving said floor and for selected andmoving selected ones of said plurality of concentric rings to be movedto said operating position.
 60. A method for changing a channel size inan unscrambling bowl having a bowl wall and an interior floor havingmembers that may be raised to an operating position to define a channel;said method comprising the steps of: selecting which of said membersshould be moved to define said channel; and moving said members todefine channel.
 61. The method as recited in claim 60 wherein saidselecting step is performed by driving a plurality of racks to selectsaid members.
 62. The method as recited in claim 60 wherein said movingstep is performed by simultaneously driving said interior floor and atleast one of said members to said operating position.
 63. An unscramblerfor unscrambling containers comprising: a bowl having a bowl wall; aturret situated in the bowl; a drive system coupled to said turret forrotatably driving said turret; said drive system also being capable ofdriving said turret along an axis of rotation from a home position to anoperating position.
 64. The unscrambler as recited in claim 63 whereinsaid turret comprises: a first planar member; a second member situatedon said first planar member, an outer edge of said second membercooperating with said bowl wall to define a channel having apredetermined depth and width.
 65. The unscrambler as recited in claim64 wherein said second member comprises: a central portion and aplurality of concentric rings that are actuatable from said homeposition to said operating position.
 66. The unscrambler as recited inclaim 65 wherein said second member comprises: a central portion and aplurality of concentric rings that are actuatable from said homeposition to said operating position to define a said channel adjacentsaid bowl wall.
 67. The unscrambler as recited in claim 64 wherein saidsecond member comprises a first portion and a second portion, at least aportion of said second portion remaining in said home position aftersaid drive system drives said first portion to said operating position.68. The unscrambler as recited in claim 67 wherein said first portioncomprises a central floor portion and said second portion comprises aplurality of concentric rings that are actuatable from said homeposition to said operating position.
 69. The unscrambler as recited inclaim 65 wherein said unscrambler further comprises: a ring selectionsystem for selecting at least one of said plurality of concentric ringsto be moved between said home position and said operating position. 70.The unscrambler as recited in claim 68 wherein said unscrambler furthercomprises: a ring selection system for selecting at least one of saidplurality of concentric rings to be moved between said home position andsaid operating position.
 71. The unscrambler as recited in claim 64wherein said second member is situated in a generally horizontal planeand comprises a top surface having a curvature for urging containerstoward said bowl wall.
 72. The unscrambler as recited in claim 69wherein said ring selection system comprises a rack and pinion assembly.